Where to begin with pre alpha drive?

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longhairmtnman

Seaman
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Feb 3, 2012
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Recently purchased a vessel with a 470 motor and what I belive is a 80-81 r drive (serial # 5780731 stamped on transom mount) First off, the previous owner was a mechanic, and performed most of the upgrades/mods I have been reading about here. Alternator, 4" exchanger, new starter, etc. He claims to have never touched the sterndrive in 5 years, so I have reason to believe I need to open it up and have a look. I was shown the unit running on the muffs and it was without bearing noise and seemed to circulate fine.

Questions : Would I be wasting my time and money on this unit when I should be upgrading ?
: Is this an r drive?
: Can I identify which water pump kit to order, without splitting the housings? eg.W/ or w/out flush and w/, w/o pre-load pin?
: What other gaskets/parts will I need?
: Where to get bellows etc.?
: Best place to get the specialty tools?
I have ordered a manual.
Thanks for your input.

CIMG2153.jpgCIMG2152.jpg
 
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longhairmtnman

Seaman
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Messages
54
Re: Where to begin with pre alpha drive?

Thank you. I was misled about the drive. Any other info I should know about this unit? It seems to me most everyone has went to the alpha drives.
 
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Bondo

Bondo

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Re: Where to begin with pre alpha drive?

longhairmtnman said:
Thank you. I was misled about the drive. Any other info I should know about this unit? It seems to me most everyone has went to the alpha drives.
Click to expand...

Ayuh,... As complete units, the MC-1, 'n Alpha 1 are completely interchangeable,....

There are a few differences Internally, but it don't matter, unless yer tryin' to swap internal parts...
 
Don S

Don S

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Re: Where to begin with pre alpha drive?

There isn't any lack of parts for your drive. What are you looking for that you can't find?
 
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longhairmtnman

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Re: Where to begin with pre alpha drive?

Well, I type in mc-1 into the iboats store and get 9 items. e-bay is slightly better, but isn't what I would call 'availability' at it's best.

Need trim sending/limiting switches as they are fubar.
water pump kit
lower seal kit
Exhaust bellows looking shabby
so I may as well do upper too.
 
A

Augie56

Seaman
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Feb 26, 2012
Messages
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Re: Where to begin with pre alpha drive?

You can easily run an exhaust tube instead of bellow on it. I have one on mine (same outdrive), it isn't really that much louder and I think it helps the engine breathe a little better at higher RPM.

Previous owner had impeller changed along with other outdrive service done about two years ago on mine. I'll look at the receipt and shoot you the part number(s) if you want.
 
ktbarrentine

ktbarrentine

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Re: Where to begin with pre alpha drive?

Although this is a great site (with terrific help on the forums!) and has a good store, don't limit yourself... go visit other parts sites like www.crowleymarine.com or www.mercruiserparts.com . You can get good exploded views of your drive, along with parts lists, pricnig info, etc. Then you can cross ref the parts numbers to other sites, even amazon, and get the best deal. Just sayin'.... Some of the sites you have to be creative to find your MC-1 drive, but it's there.
 
achris

achris

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Re: Where to begin with pre alpha drive?

well, i type in mc-1 into the iboats store and get 9 items. E-bay is slightly better, but isn't what i would call 'availability' at it's best.

Need trim sending/limiting switches as they are fubar. -805320A03
water pump kit 46-96148A8 (includes everything except the base)
lower seal kit 26-33144A2
exhaust bellows looking shabby -18654A1
so i may as well do upper too.26-32511A1

Hope this helps,

Chris......
 
ShowMeGuy

ShowMeGuy

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Re: Where to begin with pre alpha drive?

Bond-o said:
Ayuh,... As complete units, the MC-1, 'n Alpha 1 are completely interchangeable,....

There are a few differences Internally, but it don't matter, unless yer tryin' to swap internal parts...
Click to expand...

When you say complete units are you meaning the inner gimble plate and outter bellhousing along with the outdrive or just the sterndrive?
 
Don S

Don S

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Re: Where to begin with pre alpha drive?

ShowMeGuy said:
When you say complete units are you meaning the inner gimble plate and outter bellhousing along with the outdrive or just the sterndrive?
Click to expand...

Outdrive/sterndrive, samething just a different name.


Drive.jpg Transom shield parts.jpg
 
Bondo

Bondo

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Re: Where to begin with pre alpha drive?

longhairmtnman said:
Thank you. I was misled about the drive. Any other info I should know about this unit? It seems to me most everyone has went to the alpha drives.
Click to expand...

Naw,... It's just that most folks with MC-1 drives either just call it an Alpha 1,...
or Pre-Alpha, which is actually several different drives....

You can mix, 'n match 'em from pulleys to prop, from somewhere 'round the late 60s, early/ mid-70s through the current Alpha drives, but there's Tons of Gotcha's along the way......
 
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longhairmtnman

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Messages
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Re: Where to begin with pre alpha drive?

Thanks for the links to parts, I am learning, but this searching the net is going to drive me to drink!
Now I am confused about the description for the #1 drive transom seal kits available at iboats, which differ from the same part numbers listed at marineengineparts.com, where it is clearly described as for the mc-1? (I am going to stick with the exhaust bellows.)
Iboats: Transom Seal Kit for Mercruiser Sierra Part # 18-2601-1
Description: For: Mercruiser R, MR, ALPHA 1 (1983-90) S/N 6225577 & UP, ALPHA 1 SS (1986-89) S/N OA545004 & UP.

Iboats lists Part # 18-8205, For: Mercruiser I, R, MR, and Alpha I with exhaust tube(and I want bellows)

I would copy and paste the other description but it won't let me.
 
Don S

Don S

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Re: Where to begin with pre alpha drive?

The 18-2601-1 is the kit with the exhaust bellows.
 
Don S

Don S

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Re: Where to begin with pre alpha drive?

Here is from the Sierra site, have no idea why the iboat kit is missing the hoses,


attachment.php
 

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longhairmtnman

Seaman
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Feb 3, 2012
Messages
54
Re: Where to begin with pre alpha drive?

Ah, so I am not losing my mind. I like to do my shopping in one place, so I will contact the store to make sure the kit is correct. Thanks Don
Now, I need a beverage.....
 
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